Why do the French captivate our attention so? Why are we so fascinated by them? What is it that the French possess that makes us interested? Think about it for a moment, I'll wait.​The French do have that je ne sais quoi or certain something that grabs our attention.We wish to be adorned in the latest French fashions, announce our arrival or departure in French perfume, wear beautiful French lingerie, drink Champagne and of course, have a French lover!!! It is all so romantic, is it not? Then comes reallity!

For those lucky (or unlucky) enough to have been seduced by a French person, I am willing to bet that it was an experience. French men love mystery and I believe Simone de Beauvoir said it best... One is not born, but rather becomes, a woman.

Since living in France, I have become more in tune with my femininity. I simply chalk it up to this: France is beautiful for me everyday, it is only polite to return the favor. ​

The French admire beauty. Don't worry, they will let you know if you cut the dijon mustard or not. ​If you meet their expectations of beauty, they will admire you with a delicate nod of approval, an ever-so slight smile, a body check look of (again) approval, or eye contact (that is as graceful as a butterfly's flutter and ends just as quickly.)

If you don't meet their expectations of beauty, you will receive a look of pity and disgust. You will greeted with a furrowed brow or an opened mouth gasp of shock.

I have been on the receiving end of both these gestures. Yes, I prefer to be admired for beauty than grotesques, I believe everyone would. That being said, I understand that both men and women have certain types, brunette vs blond, etc, etc, yet even with these preferences, the universal acceptance of beauty remains the same for everyone: Feminine and Masculine. ​

Men are attracted (generally speaking and using common sense) to woman with a shapely silhouette and other characteristics, such as femininity, delicate manners and movements, long hair, and feminine style of dress. Personal preferences aside, people are receptive to feminine women. I speak with authority on this subject.

When I lived in the States, I never gave much thought to my appearance and I owned several pairs of PJs I wore out in public on several occasions. I didn't bother taking the time to take care of myself and it showed. I was 215 pounds, unhappy and unhealthy. I was slowly killing myself and my personal aura projected those feelings to others. I have been told I was I fat and needed to stop eating McDonald's and drinking Coca Cola, (from a doctor, mind you) and I have been laughed and scorned because of my obesity. Yes, I could get mad at the world and cry, People should love me how I am! OR... I could do the beautiful and hard work it takes to find inner peace. I chose the latter. I decided to wage war! I laid out a battle plan for Operation Improvement and the efforts have been paying off. (Please read the post: The art of embracing.. for more information.)

I have since lost weight, I currently weigh 129 pounds. I have made other health goals for the new year and will work hard and will persevere.

Since losing the weight, well I haved noticed several different things about me. First, I am happy. Second, I feel good. Third, I am healthy. All of this translates to my outer self because I am taking care of my inner self. The results are typical. When you take the time to take care of yourself, everything changes. Your body, your mood, your energy, your tastes, your style and your wardrobe! Again, I speak with authority on the subject. I notice when I dress and act in accordance with the small descriptions above of embracing my femininity, I have been well received by both men and women alike. I find my fellow countryman go out of their way to compliment me and they are willing to assist me with silly little things, such as grabbing something off the top shelf at the market or waiting and holding the door open for me so I may enter, even though I am a good distance away. It is all so simple, yet has an air of magic around it.

The art of love is simply to feel love. It is an art after all, and everyone knows that one must CREATE art! Why not use yourself as a canvas to create your masterpiece?! You are the master of your own life. Do the things you always wanted to do, travel, give, dance, pamper yourself, organize, save, clear the clutter! What is stopping you from creating your perfect life? And more importantly, what can you do about it?

I must ponder these questions too. I know what drives me and I know what stops me, and knowing is half the battle! ​I think of the greatest artists of our time. They did not create just one work of art, they created several that left an imprint on the world for generations to reach their own conclusions about the artist's message and perhaps self-reflect on his/her message that could also leave an imprint. Go big or go small, just go! The art of love is simply to love and live your dream life!

Frenchified for Life

is a fabulous little lifestyle blog about truly embracing French life!

​My intent is to simply inspire you to create something unique and beautiful in your everyday life. The French have this wonderful and annoying habit of seeing the world through rose colored glasses, might as well learn something from them!

That said, I lift my glass to you!

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By the way, I mention the name Cachou (or The Cash) a lot, I'm referring to her...